Inhaler.



No. 636,270. Patented Nbv. l2, lem.

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INHALER. 4 (Application filed Sept4 13, 1900.) (ND MUEL) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Patented Nov. l2, 190|.

W. B. DEWEES.

I N H A L E R.

(Application led Sept. 13. 1900. y

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(.No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT Tries.

WILLIAM B. DEVVEES, OF SALINA, KANSAS.

INHALER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,270, dated November '12, 1901. Application filed September 13, 1909. Serial No. 29,947. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. DEWEES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salina, in the county of Saline and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Inhalers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to inhalers adapted especially for administering anesthetics.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an inhaler so constructed as to cause the inhaled air to either pass through the anesthetic agent or over the same in contact therewith.

A further object is to provide means forinsuring the discharge of the inhalations from the lungs, and the automatic opening and closing of the valves employed in the inhaler during the exhalation. i

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the inhaler in position for use. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a modification.

The reference-numeral 1 designates a reservoir or casing, preferably of the oval form shown in Fig. 2 and having atop 2 and bottom 3, from which depends a guard 4, cut away at its ends, as shown at 5 and 6, to adapt it to lit over the nose and chin of the patient. The numerals 7, 8, and 9 designate three tubes arranged Within or formed integral with the casing l. The tube 7, which may be termed th-e inhaling-tube, is open at its upper end to receive a closure, comprising a tube 10, having an integral cap 11. The closuretube lO is formed with an opening 12,adapted to register with a similar opening in the tube 7, the tube 10 serving as a valve to regulate the admission of air to the tube 7.

The lower end of the inhaling-tube is externally screw-threaded to receive an internally-threaded cage or cap 13, having openings 14 for the passage of air charged with the anesthetic agent. Within the cap 13 is located a disk valve l5, preferably of mica and of such size as to be freely movable within the cap `13 by the force of the inhalations and exhalations, as will be referred to again hereinafter.

The tube 8, which may be termed the exhaling-tube, is open at its lower end,as shown in Fig. 3,and projects at its upper end slightly above the top of the casing. The projecting upper end of the tube 8 is externally threaded to receive a cap16, having air-openings, and inclosjng a disk 17 of mica, which serves as a valve for the tube.

The tube 9 is the filling-tube and is preferably located at the smaller end of the casing. It is open at both ends and is adapted to be closed at the upper end by a tubular cap 1S, (seeFigs. 2 and 4,) which fits Within the tube 9, and is formed with an annular horizontal flange 19, adapted to rest upon the top 2 of the casing. The tubular cap 1S is formed with an opening 18, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4,) which registers with a corresponding opening 19* in the tube 9.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a modification of the construction in which the tube 9 is closed by a screw-cap 9b instead of by the hollow tubular cap 18. In this modified form of the device the air entering the tube 9n (after the removal of the screw-cap) is caused to pass through the liquid before reaching the inhaling-tube. The inhaling-tube 7a in this instance has its upper end open and located within the' casing.

The utility and mode of operation of the improvement may be described as follows: The reservoir 1 is supplied with ether or other anesthetic liquid, and in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, inhalation through the tube 7 will draw the air charged with the liquid into the mouth and nose of the patient, the mica valve l5 automatically opening the lower end of the tube 7. At each inhalation the valve 15 closes the tube 7 and opens the valve 17 for the escape of the inhaled air charged with carbonio-acid gas. Thus at each inhalation a supply of fresh air is insured, which in a great measure avoids the depressing eects of the anesthetic. Where the tubular cap 18 is omitted, the air passes down through the tube 9 and bubbles up through the liquid before passing to the inhalingtube.

If desired, the tube 9 or 9a may be entirely omitted, in which event the air will enter the reservoir through a suitable openin g and pass over the liquid to the inhaling-tube.

I Would have it understood that I reserve the right to make all such changes or modications in the details of the device as may fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claiml. An inhaler Comprising a casing constituting a reservoir, an inhaling-tube in communication With the reservoir extending beneath the latter, and having a cap at its lower end formed with openings and a valve located in the cap, and an exhaling-tube extending from beneath the reservoir, through the casing, and having a cap at its outer end, formed with openings and a valve located in the cap.

2. An inhaler comprising a easing' constituting a reservoir, an inhaling-tube in communication with the reservoir, extending beneath the latter, and having a valve at its lower. end, an exhaling-tube extending from beneath the reservoir through the easing and having a valve at its outer end, and a llingtube extending to a point beneath the inlet to the inhaling-tube.

3. In an inhaler, the combination with a easing or receptacle, of an inhaling-tube and an exhaling-tube; automatic valves at opposite ends of said tubes; screw-caps formed With air-openings for supporting said Valves in position; and a filling-tube extending down Within the receptacle to a point below the upper end of the inhaling-tube whereby the air is caused to pass through the liquid` in the reservoir before entering the inhaling-tube.

In testimony whereof I atx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM B. DEWEES.

Vitnesses:

R. P. CRAVENS, J. W. RICE. 

